Batch Files

[bodhi]

Hi All,

I was wondering, I used to write batch files when I used to work on computers with DOS 6.22 etc. I've forgotten how to do it. How could I write a batch file that can be executed by clicking on an icon in windows?

The reason I ask, is that my dad is pretty poor with computers. He's got a Sony Vaio laptop and has just bought a Canon digital SLR camera and he has photos EVERYWHERE! He always claims that they've moved from where he put the etc. haha.

What I would like to do is create a batch file which will back up his whole my docs picture folder or something similar so it's easy for him to make sure stuff is backed up.

Thanks.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Good Luck

 

[Ian]

It's probably easier to download something like Comodo Backup (free!) and then schedule it to backup a folder automatically : http://backup.comodo.com/

However, if you did want to make a batch file, just create a file somewhere called backup.bat (or whatever you want) and then right click it and click edit.

You'll then need to think how you want to backup the files (i.e., perhaps zip them up or just copy them?). The example just copies them to a backup drive and creates a log file:

@echo off
xcopy "C:\Users\Dad\Pictures\*.*" d:\PicBackup\ /c /s /r /d /y /i > d:\PicBackup\xcopy.log

• /d—This switch copies all source files that are newer than existing destination files. It allows you to update only files that have changed, making the process a lot faster.
• /c—This command-line option ignores errors. You don’t want one corrupted file to halt the automated copying.
• /s—This option copies directories and subdirectories.
• /r—This switch copies read-only files.
• /y—Use this switch to overwrite files without prompting. You don't want any user intervention to be required.
• /i—Use this option to automatically create new folders on destination.

 

[muckshifter]

Use Google's Picasa and forget about it.

KISS

 

[bodhi]

Thanks guys, I will give it a bash and see what happens.